1. On October 13, 1828, trapper Jim Bridger discovered the Great Salt Lake in Utah while exploring the western United States. Bridger spent considerable time in the Montana region and became a legendary figure in exploration.

2. On October 13, 1888, the University of Montana was founded in Missoula. The school has since grown to become a top-tier public research institution.

3. October 13, 1917, saw the opening of the Liberty Theater in Butte, one of the largest theaters in the state at the time. The Liberty remained a popular entertainment venue for several decades before closing in the 1960s.

4. On October 13, 1947, the first regularly scheduled commercial passenger flight landed at the Billings Logan International Airport. The airport has since become the largest airport in Montana and a major hub for travel within the state.

5. In 1962, Montana State University played in its first football game as a member of the Big Sky Conference on October 13. The Bobcats defeated the Idaho Vandals 28-7 in Pullman, Washington. The team has since become a perennial contender in the conference and at the FCS level.